Hephaestus and Aphrodite

1. Why was Hera disappointed when Hephaestus was born? What did she do with him?
Hera was disappointed because he was shriveled and ugly with an irritating, bleating wail. She threw him off of Olympus.

2. Who saved Hephaestus?
A playful naiad named Thetis saved him because he thought he was a tadpole.

3. What made Hera change her mind about her son? What did Hephaestus become the god of?
Hera wanted her son back because she saw Thetis wearing lovely jewelry that she wanted. She then demanded him back. Hephaestus became the smith god, the great artificer and the lord of mechanics.

4. Compare Hephaestus and Apollo. How do their appearances differ?
Hephaestus is hideous yet Apollo is the most gorgeous god. Their appearances differ because Apollo had dark gold hair and stormy blue eyes. He was strong and handsome but Hephaestus was shriveled, small and weak.

"Aphrodite"
5. How was Aphrodite "created"? How is this birth similar to Athene's?

She was created by primal murder. Cronos butchered her fathers head where Aphrodite arose from foam, naked and dripping. Her birth is similar to Athene's because Athene came out of Zeus' head.

6. What gifts was Aphrodite promised by her suitors?
She was promised to be queen of the sea, drowned sailors, gems, riddles, fair surfaces, grottoes, sunsets, typhoons and secrets.

7. Which husband did Aphrodite choose? Do you think she chose wisely? Why/why not?
She chose Hapheastus the grimy little smith because he could not offer a lot but he was a good husband.

8. Which goddess is most powerful: Demeter, Artemis, or Aphrodite? Explain the reasoning behind your choice.

The most powerful was Aphrodite because she chose love over power.

Hermes

Is Hermes a good god or a bad god? Support your information using details from the text.

Hermes is a good god, but growing up as a child, he was quite sneaky. He stole from his brother and made a sneaky trade to take over Apollo's job. Everyone has their bad moments, and that's what happened with Hermes. Overall, he is a good god but when he was a child he was not. He made up for his wrongs and he came clean for stealing. He told the truth and admitted he stole the cows.

" 'I did take your cows brother. But I didn't know they were yours. How could I have? And they are quite safe, except or one. Wishing to begin my life with an act of piety, I sacrificed her to the twelve gods.' "(45)

Hubris

Everyone has been guilty at one time or another of "hubris." What was one time in your life where you were guilty of this? Explain the situation.

Look at your class notes from yesterday for the definition of this word. Make sure this entry is four to five sentences in length.

One time, I was guilty of hubris when I got a 100 on my french test. My teacher was very hard and nobody had ever gotten that high of a grade. I was very proud of myself and all my studying had paid off.  I was very proud of myself and of my grade. My parents were please as well, and I was happy the whole day. I was not aware my friend had gotten a 75 and I felt telling her how well I had done.

Myth's Blog

1. Who was Metis and why was Zeus' attraction to her unusual?

Metis was a Titaness and a daughter of one of his old enemies. Zeus' attraction was unusual because  she was the daughter of his enemy.
2. What was the symbolism behind the description of the "two serpents" in the story?
The symbolism behind them being plaited together was, having their two bodies intertwined and them making a baby.
3. Explain how Athene was born.
Athene was born by Zeus' head getting split and out came the daughter of Metis.
4. What is the overall moral of the mythological story of "Athene"?

The overall moral is getting to know someone enough to be able to realize who they truly are.